IMO, the old “Victory Garden” concept needs to be resurrected big time. While just about everyone on this thread ‘gardens’ in one way or another, I think we should also encourage family/friends who do not garden to start something, even if it is a container garden on a patio, porch, etc. Empty shelves are going to be a reality ... if not already, then shortly. Between empty shelves and inflation (not going to be temporary), food supply is going to become critical.
A side note - we got a letter recently from someone (don’t know her) wanting to rent a patch of ground/my garden & they would do the work, share the produce ... quite the surprise. Evidently, she was driving by & saw my garden, which is sort of visible from the road. I said ‘no’ - I’m not giving up my garden & we do not want strangers on the place.
What Is A Victory Garden – Vintage Advice for a Modern Time
https://hillsborough-homesteading.com/victory-garden-free-pdf/
Excerpt from link:
Using Victory Gardens in Modern Times
The National Gardening Association reports that nearly 20 million Americans grow their own produce today, with many starting new Victory Garden projects in response to growing concerns about our nation’s food supply and the high cost of groceries.
While we’re not in a war anymore that threatens to empty our grocery store produce shelves, I think the message is still important:
Grow and preserve your own food, so that others who cannot can rely on the store.
We’ve seen in recent times the effect of the pandemic, food supply shortages, people hoarding and making runs on grocery stores.
Even global warming has begun effecting food supplies.
Where we are, it’s not uncommon to be snowed in for days or weeks at a time.
What if you lose your job or a source of income and suddenly don’t have the money for groceries?
Even something as simple as your car being in the shop, or you hurting yourself and not being able to drive.
Self-sufficiency is my safety blanket and makes it so that I never have to worry about whether I can make it to the store or if I have the money for food.
So while we’re not in a war (at the moment), I consider my own family’s well-being and security Victory enough.
We grow our own vegetables and fresh fruits and can, freeze, dehydrate and pickle for our food security.
So consider making your own victory garden and harvesting fresh produce from just a few seed packets.
Here’s my complete guide on how to start a garden from scratch if this is your first time with home gardens.
Even if you only have a small front yard, window boxes or tiny garden plots, you can grow a surprising amount of leafy greens and fresh vegetables.
Awhile ago I found several adorable pamphlets from, I believe, the USDA.
Note: links mentioned in the article are “live” at the source.
Great add. I wanted to get into Victory Gardens this week, too. Thanks! :)
“Grow and preserve your own food, so that others who cannot can rely on the store.”
Nope. You don’t WORK, you don’t EAT, Grandma! ;) I wish! We are SO far removed from that, it’s ridiculous. We are living in a nation that is at least 50% GRASSHOPPERS. Grrrr.
I had a great deal working with a neighbor. I would trade tomatoes, peppers, onions and berries for venison. My neighbor’s wife was fed up because they had 2 freezers full of deer meat.